The Ingwaz rune

Sound «Нг», image: the god Ing, seed.

Meaning of the Ingwaz rune

The seed of the god Ing: fertility, ripening, something complete on the inside. Ingwaz is stored-up strength that is ready to sprout. It has all come together, so you can let your breath out and let it into the open. The quiet work is finished, whatever the outside of your life still looks like today.

The shadow side

Ingwaz is symmetrical, so turning it leaves the same sign and there is no reversed position. Every force still has its dark edge. This rune does not reverse, it is the same turned either way. In a difficult surrounding its shadow is the seed that will not risk sprouting: the strength is there, no outlet is given to it, and it burns itself out underground. Held long enough, ripeness turns into waiting for its own sake.

Ingwaz in a spread

If it comes up upright, read it by the meaning above. You cannot turn it, the sign is symmetrical, so here the neighbours matter: which runes fall beside it and where they lean. A single rune gives you the leaning, and for an answer with a thread through it you draw three: what is behind, what is now, what comes ahead.

Ingwaz as a talisman

Ingwaz gathers strength so it can sprout at its hour, the rune of the seed of the god Ing. As a talisman it draws fertility, the ripening of plans and a peaceful finish to what you began, banking power until the time is right. As a charm it shields what is ripening from the evil eye and from haste. Worn for conception and good fruit.

FAQ

Is the Ingwaz rune a good sign or a bad one?

Runes do not split into good ones and bad ones. Ingwaz speaks of the god Ing, seed, and in a spread it hints at where the force is leaning. It is no final sentence, and a lot depends on which runes fall beside it.

Does the Ingwaz rune have a reversed meaning?

No. Ingwaz is symmetrical, so turning it leaves the same sign. Every force still has its dark edge though, and the shadow side of Ingwaz is explained above.

Which aett does Ingwaz belong to?

The aett of Tyr, one of the three groups of the Elder Futhark, eight runes each. The aett tells you which octave the rune sits in and which runes it neighbours.

The rune said its piece in short. The arcana tell it more slowly.

✦ The Major Arcana